The agency ordered media organizations to remove computer software, hardware and communications lines they have installed at the department to transmit news on data such as the unemployment rate and consumer prices. Instead, reporters will have to use government equipment, software and Internet connections.

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Under the current system, credentialed journalists in so- called lockups are given data in advance of their release to the public, allowing time to prepare stories, headlines and tables. Communication by phone or computer is cut off for the half hour that reporters are typically given to write their stories. A Department of Labor employee then flips a switch that opens telephone and data lines, allowing journalists to transmit their stories using their own equipment.

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With the new system, journalists in the lockup will have to rely on government-provided Internet access to send their stories, with no guarantee they can connect to the Internet at the same time. Currently, news organizations taking part in the lockups can maintain their own lines. The changes would take effect with the release of data on the unemployment rate and non-farm payrolls on July 6.

News organizations are freaking out because there was no consultation with them, and they fear that without their own data and their own connections, the process will be disorganized, inconsistent, and difficult to plan for. And they worry then that the data will come out piecemeal (IE the headline jobs number might come out before sub-data like U-6).

For most people this may not be a big deal, but for markets that rely on the consistent transmission of data, this could create anarchy.

The changes will go into effect this summer. It should be interesting to see how things change.